Hamlet&amp;#146;s own personal views on divinity

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

Hamlet's own personal views on divinity change drastically throughout the play. He has an incessant struggle going on within his mind that is trying to determine which plays a more powerful role in his life; his own free will, or fate. Up until act 5 scene 2, I see him having a little bit more "faith" in his own cunning, but it is at that point in the story that he utters this statement to Horatio, " Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting that would not let me sleep. methought I lay worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly- and praised be rashness for it; let us know, our indiscretion sometime serves us well when our deep plots do pall; and that should learn us there's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them how we will-" (5.2.5-11). Speaking this remark shows that Hamlet's mind has been plagued by perplexity brought on by his own hesitation, Christian ideals, appearance versus reality, and Claudius's good "fortune". ...read more.

Middle

I found this statement to be directly related to Hamlet's predicament. His desire, during the entire play, is to avenge his father's murder. However, no matter what precautions he takes, or schemes he devises, he is still unable to carry out the deed. The second part of that statement, dealing with strong will, relates to Hamlet's soliloquies. In his private speeches, Hamlet demonstrates his great desire and determination to finally gain vengeance on Claudius. He even goes as far as to contemplate the value of his own life; which essentially is a question of his own will. Or maybe it isn't. Maybe he doesn't mean the words he speaks, perhaps he's just trying to give himself a boost of confidence. I mean, it is quite possible that even beginning at that point in the play, Hamlet subconsciously believes the murder of Claudius is inevitable, and the only thing he must do is watch over the king so no one else meets an unfortunate fate. Therefore, Hamlet's tragic flaw is not that he thinks things over too much, or has such high morals that it makes killing difficult. ...read more.

Conclusion

Which Horatio then follows with, "Heaven will direct it."(1.4.101). When Horatio says this, it seems as if he already knows the outcome of the play and is giving the audience a clue to the ending. The clue being that he does not say Hamlet will direct it, he says Heaven. The one conclusive example of Hamlet trusting that his fate is his agreement to dual with Laertes. Had he not such a strong "faith" in fate, I think he would be much more skeptical in accepting his challenge. If not merely for fear that his own life my be in danger, then for fright of never having the heinous wrong justified. This may also be an explanation of his calm demeanor previous to the fight, and also for his quick acceptance of death after his has been assured. However, I think the serene disposition and quick embracing have more to do with his fate as the king. This fate being the restoration of order for the people and state of Denmark, and this also being the fate that shows Hamlet's true character, compassionate, and selfless. ?? ?? ?? ?? Hamlet's Divinity Jim Christy per.6 ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Hamlet section.

Related GCSE Hamlet essays

Others die on the way as part of the human waste, a consequence of Tragedy. "We enter the consciousness of Hamlet on absolute terms, as if the problem that had confronted him and released his entire mind into our keeping and understanding," wrote John Bayley in "Shakespeare and Tragedy" (1981).

he should raise his voice - as he would have no control over himself at this point. All of the things that Macbeth says from lines 21-44, (these are the parts when he tells Lady Macbeth what he thinks he heard)